Quick connector with verification

ABSTRACT

A quick connector coupling for making a severable connection with a male member in a fluid line includes a connector body having a through bore for receiving the male member having a tubular shape sized to extend into the through bore of the connector body, a retainer releasably securing the male member within the connector body, and a verifier including at least one arm extending outside the connector body. Further, the verifier is coupled to the connector body and is moved to a latched position from an unlatched position when the male member is securely connected with the connector body. The connector body includes at least one verification element, which is at least partially covered by the at least one arm extending from the verifier in the unlatched position. The verification element of the connector body is uncovered and readable when the verifier is moved to the latched position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/205,301 filed on Mar. 18, 2021, entitled “QUICK CONNECTORWITH VERIFICATION,” the entire contents of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a quick connector coupling for makinga releasable connection in a fluid line assembly.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Quick connectors are well-known devices in the automotive and otherfields, and connector assemblies that allow for convenient, quick,fluid-tight connections between two or more pipes, tubes, or similarcomponents. The quick connectors are commonly used to connect tubingused in engine cooling circuits or, more recently, in cooling circuitsused to cool batteries of electric or hybrid vehicles. The quickconnector assemblies generally include a male member such as a pipe ortube received and sealingly retained in a female connector body of thequick connector, and are used to provide a fluid connection between twocomponents or conduits, thus establishing a fluid line between the twocomponents.

Use of quick connector for securing the male member and the femaleconnector body is advantageous in that a sealed and secured fluid linemay be established with a minimum amount of time and expense. Such quickconnector assemblies are very useful, for example, in the fluid linesystems of internal combustion engine in a vehicle and also in thecooling circuits of the vehicle including the electric or hybridvehicles. Furthermore, the reliable and secure quick connector couplingscan be used in a brake line system, a fuel line system, a coolant linesystem, and other conduit systems.

We have discovered that many conventional quick connectors suffer fromnumerous drawbacks associated with locking together the components to beconnected, resulting in failed connections, depressurizations, leaks,etc. To effectively assemble the sealed and secured fluid line, a numberof methods and mechanisms for the quick connector are continuouslydeveloped and used in various fluid line systems.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a quick connector for securing a malemember in a female connector in a fluid line assembly.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a quick connectorcoupling for making a severable connection with a male member in a fluidline includes a connector body having a through bore for receiving themale member having a tubular shape sized to extend into the through boreof the connector body, at least one verification element formed on theconnector body, and a verifier including a connecting member and a pairof fingers extending from the connecting member and further including acombined upper end extending rearwardly from the connecting member ofthe verifier and at least one arm extending from the combined upper end.The verifier is coupled to the connector body and moved to a latchedposition from an unlatched position when the male member is securelyconnected with the connector body. Further, the at least oneverification element of the connector body is at least partially coveredby the at least one arm extending from the verifier in the unlatchedposition, and the at least one verification element of the connectorbody is uncovered and readable when the verifier is moved to the latchedin a transverse direction relative to an insertion direction of the malemember.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the quickconnector coupling further includes a retainer releasably securing themale member within the connector body. The retainer is positioned on anopposite side of the connector body from where the verifier ispositioned such that the retainer is inserted in an opposite directionfrom a direction in which the verifier is moved to the latched position.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the throughbore of the connector body defines a longitudinal axis and the at leastone arm is axially spaced apart from the pair of fingers. The connectorbody includes a radial rim extending through the axial space between theat least one arm and pair of fingers.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the at leastone verification element is positioned on an outer surface of theconnector body, and arranged between a rearward rim and a rearmost rimof the connector body. Further, the at least one verification element isa readable code formed as a QR code, a barcode, a data matrix code, or acolored code.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the at leastone arm of the verifier is formed with an extension end transverselyextending from the at least one arm along a longitudinal axis of theconnector body. The extension end of the verifier is arranged between arearward rim and a rearmost rim of the connector body and moved along anouter surface of the connector body. Further, in the unlatched positionof the verifier, the verification element is at least partially coveredby the extension end of the verifier, and the verification element isfully uncovered by the movement of the extension end when the verifieris moved to the latched position from the unlatched position.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a quick connectorcoupling for making a severable connection with a male member in a fluidline includes a connector body having a through bore for receiving themale member having a tubular shape sized to extend into the through boreof the connector body, at least one verification element formed on theconnector body, and a verifier including a crossbar and a pair offingers extending from the crossbar and further including at least onearm extending outside the connector body, and a retainer securing themale member within the connector body and including a pair of legsextending from the crossbar. The verifier is formed with the retainer,and the verifier and retainer are coupled to the connector body andmoved to a latched position from an unlatched position when the malemember is securely connected with the connector body. Further, the atleast one verification element of the connector body is at leastpartially covered by the at least one arm extending from the verifier inthe unlatched position, and the at least one verification element of theconnector body is uncovered and readable when the at least oneverification element of the verifier is moved to the latched position ina transverse direction relative to an insertion direction of the malemember.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the combinedretainer and verifier is automatically moved to the latched positionfrom the unlatched position when the male member is completely insertedinto the connector body.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the pair offingers are longitudinally aligned with the pair of legs, and the atleast one arm of the verifier is longitudinally spaced apart from thepair of fingers of the verifier.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, theverification element produces information about the quick connectorcoupling when the verification element is read out. For example, theverification element can contain readable information relating to thequick connector, in particular relating to the manufacturer, the articlenumber, the type and material, the date of manufacture, and the batchnumber of the connector, etc. The at least one verification element isattached onto an outer surface of the connector body by a printing, alaser marking, a labeling, or an engraving.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a quick connectorcoupling for making a severable connection with a male member in a fluidline includes a connector body having a through bore for receiving themale member having a tubular shape sized to extend into the through boreof the connector body, a retainer securing the male member within theconnector body, and a verifier being coupled to the connector body andbeing moved to a latched position from an unlatched position when themale member is securely connected with the connector body. The at leastone arm includes an extension end transversely from the at least one armalong a longitudinal axis of the connector body and the extension end issized and positioned to cover the at least one verification element inthe unlatched position. Further, the connector body includes at leastone verification element, which is readable when the verifier is movedto the latched position from the unlatched position, and the retainer ispositioned on an opposite side of the connector body from where theverifier is positioned such that the retainer is inserted in an oppositedirection from a direction in which the verifier is moved to the latchedposition.

According a further aspect of the present disclosure, the verifierincludes at least one arm partially covering an outer surface of theconnector body and moving along the outer surface of the connector bodywhen the verifier is moved to the latched position from the unlatchedposition.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the at leastone verification element is located on the outer surface of theconnector body is at least partially covered by the arm of the verifierand is not readable when the verifier is in the unlatched position.Further, the at least one verification element is fully uncovered andreadable by the movement of the arm when the verifier is moved to thelatched position. The verifier is formed with a pair of arms including acombined upper end extending rearwardly from a connecting member of theverifier.

Further details and benefits will become apparent from the followingdetailed description of the appended drawings. The drawings are providedherewith purely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limitthe scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now bedescribed various forms thereof, given by way of example, referencebeing made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a quick connector coupling inaccordance with an exemplary form of the present disclosure, and FIG. 1Ashows a perspective view of a connector body and a male member in thequick connector coupling of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 2 shows a side sectional view of the quick connector coupling ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a female connector body of FIG. 1 ,and FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a female connector body inaccordance with another exemplary form of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the female connector body of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 shows a side sectional view of the female connector body of FIG.3 ;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a quick connector in accordance withanother exemplary form of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6A shows aperspective view of a quick connector having a separate connector bodyin accordance with another exemplary form of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a retainer of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a verifier of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 shows a different perspective view of the verifier of FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the connector body including theretainer and the verifier in an unlatched position of the verifier ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 11 shows a different perspective view of the connector bodyincluding the retainer and the verifier in the unlatched position of theverifier of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 12 shows a side sectional view of the connector body including theretainer and the verifier in the unlatched position of the verifier ofFIG. 10 ;

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a quick connector having a verifiercombined with a retainer as a single unit in accordance with anotherexemplary form of the present disclosure, and FIG. 13A shows aperspective view of a verifier combined with a retainer as a separatepart in accordance with another exemplary form of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 14A shows a perspective view of the quick connector coupling withan inserted male member in an unlatched position of FIG. 13 , and FIG.14B shows a perspective view of the quick connector coupling with theinserted male member in a latched position of FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 15A shows a perspective view of a coupling connector with a pluglock in a latched position in accordance with another exemplary form ofthe present disclosure, and FIG. 15B shows a perspective view of thecoupling connector the plug lock in an unlatched position of FIG. 15A;

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the plug lock of the couplingconnector of FIG. 15A;

FIG. 17A shows a cross-sectional view of the coupling connector of FIG.15A along a longitudinal direction, and FIG. 17B shows a cross-sectionalview of the coupling connector of FIG. 15B along a longitudinaldirection.

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no wayintended to limit the present disclosure or its application or uses. Itshould be understood that throughout the drawings, correspondingreference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

A quick connector coupling of the present disclosure is illustrated inconnection with a fluid line assembly. It is shown as a releasableconnection between a rigid tube and other fluid carrying components,particularly a flexible hose. However, the quick connector couplingshave numerous other applications where a fluid tight, but releasableconnection is desired, such as connection of rigid elements of a fluidpath, whether pressurized or unpressurized in an automotive vehicle.

Referring to more detail in the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 1A illustrate aquick connector coupling 10 for forming a severable connection in afluid line. The quick connector coupling 10 is comprised of a connectorbody 12 and a male member 14. In FIG. 2 , the quick connector coupling10 is releasably secured together by a retainer 100 (e.g., a primarylatch; see also FIG. 7 ) and a verifier 200 (e.g., a secondary latch;see also FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the quickconnector coupling 10 includes at least one verification element 90,which is in the form of a code (e.g., a QR code, a barcode, a datamatrix code, or a single or multi-colored color code). For example, a QRcode is printed onto the outer surface of the connector body 12. Thefunction of the verification element 90 is explained in more detailfurther below. The male member 14 is formed at an end of a hollow tubewhich forms a part of a fluid line system. The connector body 12 and themale member 14 are connectable to form a severable joint in the fluidline.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 1A, and 2 , the male member 14 includes a radiallyenlarged upset 16 formed a given distance from an open tube end or tip18. The tube end or tip 18 can be rounded or tapered to facilitateinsertion of the male member 14 into the connector body 12. A smoothgenerally cylindrical sealing surface 20 defined by the exterior surfaceof the tube extends between the upset 16 and the tube end or tip 18. Thetube continues in a direction away from the tube end beyond the upset 16and defines a generally smooth cylindrical surface 22. The smoothcylindrical surface 22 has generally same diameter as the cylindricalsealing surface 20. In accordance with other forms of the presentdisclosure, instead of the upset, the male member 14 may include agroove, which is formed on the exterior surface of the male member 14.Generally, the exterior surface of the tube is inwardly indented to formthe groove such that the groove of the male member may be adapted toretain with a retainer and/or a verifier inside a connector body (notshown).

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate the female connector body 12 in detail. As shown inFIG. 5 , the connector body 12 is defined by a generally cylindrical,stepped radially inner surface of wall 24, and includes a main body 26for receiving the male member 14 and a cylindrical stem 28 extendingfrom the main body 26 as a single unit. The cylindrical stem 28including a hose connection end 34 is angled by 90 degrees, which is atransverse direction from a longitudinal axis X of the main body 26. Inaccordance with other forms of the present disclosure, however, thecylindrical stem 28 including the hose connection end 34 may extend fromthe main body 26 with a straight shape (180 degrees, see FIG. 6 ) alongthe longitudinal axis X. Further, the connector body in other forms ofthe present disclosure may be formed without the stem 28 such that theconnector body (a tube end receptacle) is covered by a cap which has aclosed face instead of the stem (not shown).

In accordance with another exemplary form of the present disclosure, theconnector body 12 may be combined by two different parts such as aretainer body 11 and a tube connection body 13. The tube connection body13 is detachably coupled to the retainer body 11 by force-fitting,form-fitting, or material bonding (e.g., welding) as shown in FIG. 6A.Accordingly, in the connector body 12 formed by the tube connection body13 and the retainer body 11, the verification element 90 is arranged inthe tube connection body 13. However, according to other forms of thepresent disclosure, the verification element 90 may be arranged in theretainer body 11. Further, it must be understood that the exterior ofthe connector body 12 may take any desired shape without departing fromthe present disclosure.

The connector body 12 including the main body 26 and the cylindricalstem 28, as a single unit, is generally formed of a plastic material(e.g., polyamide). As shown in FIG. 5 , the inner surface of the wall 24defines a through bore 30 centered about the longitudinal axis X. Thethrough bore 30 of the connector body 12 extends completely through theconnector body 12 from a male member reception end 32 to the tube endreceptacle 40 along the longitudinal axis X, and further transverselyextends to the hose connection end 34. It should be noted that the termrearward is used herein to mean in a direction from the male memberreception end 32 toward the tube end receptacle 40 generally along thelongitudinal axis X, and the term forward is a reversed direction fromthe direction of the rearward along the longitudinal axis X.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5 , the connector body 12 includes a housing section36, a seal chamber 38, a tube end receptacle 40, and the stem 28. Thehousing section 36 is adjacent to the male member reception end 32. Thehousing section 36 is defined by a forward rim 42 having a transverseplanar forward facing surface 44 that defines an opening 46 to thethrough bore 30 at the male member reception end 32, and a rearward rim48 spaced from the forward rim 42 separated by a gap or space 50 openedto the through bore 30. Both forward and rearward rims 42 and 48 areconnected by a top support member 52 and a bottom support member 56. Inaddition, center body posts 54 extend from a forward facing surface ofthe rearward rim 48. The lower curved surface of the bottom supportmember 56 is recessed radially inward from the radially outward mostedge of the rearward rim 48 so that the bottom support member 56 and theforward and rearward rims 42 and 48 defines a pocket 58 that receives across member 104 of a retainer 100.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A, for example, the top support member 52 isconnected between the forward and rearward rims 42 and 48. A top portionof the rearward rim 48 includes a recess 60 that receives an inwardlyfacing surface 204 of a verifier 200. The recess 60 of the rearward rim48 is disposed in the top support member 52. As shown in FIG. 3 , theconnector body 12 further includes a rearmost rim 84 extending radiallyaround the connector body 12 and being located between the seal chamber38 and the tube end receptacle 40. In addition, the rearward rim 48 andthe rearmost rim 84 are connected with a support member 86 which axiallyextends along the longitudinal axis X. In accordance with other forms ofthe present disclosure, however, the connector body 12 may be formedwithout the rearmost rim 84 (see FIG. 3A). As shown in FIG. 3A, at leastone verification element 90 is attached to one side or both sides on theouter surface of the connector body 12.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the connector body 12 includes at least oneverification element 90, which is in a form of a code. For example, inthe present application, the verification element 90 is formed as a QRcode. The QR code is arranged and attached onto the outer surface of theconnector body 12 between the rearward rim 48 and the rearmost rim 84.As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the QR code is printed or embedded in bothside surfaces of the seal chamber 38 as a readable or visible location.However, the verification element 90 (e.g., a QR code) may be attachedto other locations of the connector body 12 according to the operationof the quick connector coupling 10. In addition, the verificationelement 90 may be attached to other components such as the verifier 200or the retainer 100 as a readable or visible location in accordance withother forms of the present disclosure.

The verification element 90 is a readable code, and preferably amachine-readable code such as a QR code or a barcode. For example, thecode can be read out by a reading device such as a scanner or a mobiledevice (not shown). This verifies that the male member 14 is fullyinserted into the connector body 12 and the quick connector coupling 10is properly connected, i.e. is latched by the retainer 100 and verifier200. Further, the code may contain readable information relating to thequick connector coupling 10, which can be read out after the connectorbody 12 and the male member 14 have been properly connected.

In FIG. 5 , the seal chamber 38 is formed axially rearward of thehousing section 36. It is defined by a reduced diameter portion of thewall 24, relative to the housing section 36 inside the seal chamber 38.The seal chamber 38 is provided to house sealing elements to form afluid seal between the connector body 12 and the male member 14. Asshown in FIG. 2 , two O-ring seals 62 and 64 separated by a rigid spacerring 66 are radially situated between the seal chamber 38 and the malemember 14. The O-ring seals 62 and 64 are sized to fit tightly withinthe seal chamber 38 and tightly around the sealing surface 20 of themale member 14. The O-ring seals 62 and 64 are secured in the sealchamber 38 by a hollow spacer sleeve 68. The hollow spacer sleeve 68includes a raised annular portion 70 on the outer periphery of thesleeve 68 for providing enhanced securement of the spacer sleeve 68within the through bore 30.

The tube end receptacle 40 is formed axially rearward of the sealchamber 38. It is defined by a reduced diameter portion of the wall 24,relative to the seal chamber 38, which extends axially rearward. Thetube end receptacle 40 is sized to receive and pilot or guide thesealing surface 20 of the male member 14. Furthermore, the stem 28includes a fluid passageway 72 defined by the smallest diameter portionof the wall 24. It leads transversely from the small diameter of thetube end receptacle 40 to the hose connection end 34. The stem 28 isconfigured to facilitate connection to another component in the fluidline. For example, the connector body 12 is formed for connection to aflexible hose (not shown). As previously described, any other suitableconnection arrangement may be used to complete a fluid line system.

FIG. 7 illustrates the retainer 100 in the quick connector coupling 10.It is preferably formed of a resilient, flexible material such asplastic. The retainer 100, which extends transversely through bottomslots 74 of the housing section 36, is demountably coupled to theconnector body 12. The retainer 100 includes a pair of elongated,generally parallel legs 102 extending from, and joined at one end by, across member 104. Released protrusions 106 are formed on the radiallyinner surface of the cross member 104 and extend axially from therearward face of the legs 102. The cross member 104 provides aseparation between the legs 102 approximately equal to the outerdiameter of the cylindrical sealing surface 20 of the male member 14.The legs 102 have an axial length approximately equal to, but slightlyless than the axial length of the bottom slots 74 in the housing section36. The lateral width of legs 102 is significantly less than the lateralwidth of the bottom slots 74 in order to allow outward expansion of thelegs 102 to permit the male member insertion and release as will beunderstood. In addition, the cross member 104 has an axial lengthsubstantially greater than that of the legs 102.

Each leg 102 includes a latch 108 formed at an end remote from the crossmember 104. When the retainer 100 is fully inserted into the connectorbody 12, the latches 108 lock the retainer 100 into a position relativeto the connector body 12. The latches 108 engage locking shoulders 76,defined by the top support member 52 of the connector body 12, toreleasably lock the retainer 100 in place. As shown in FIG. 7 , each leg102 further includes an angled surface 110 with lead areas 112. The leadareas 112 are formed into the forward faces 114 of the legs 102. Thelead areas 112 slope radially inward and axially rearward from theforward face 114 of each leg 102, and terminate approximately midwaybetween the forward face 114 and the rearward face 116 of each leg 102.

The spacing between the lead edges of the lead areas 112 is at itsgreatest adjacent the forward face 114. The spacing is approximatelyequal to the outer diameter or outer surface of the upset 16 formed onthe male member 14. At the inner edges 118 of the lead areas 112 isapproximately equal to the outer diameter of the sealing surface 20 ofthe male member 14. Portions of the lead areas 112 closer to the latches108 curve inwardly to match the annular profile of the male member upset16. This shape assists in guidance and centering of the male member 14through the connector body 12.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the verifier 200 including elements positionedwithin a top slot 78 and side slots 80. The verifier 200 is demountablycoupled to the connector body 12. The verifier 200 is also preferablymolded of a resilient and flexible material such as a plastic. Theverifier 200 is slidable transversely in the connector body 12 relativeto the top support member 52 toward and away from the curved bottomsupport member 56 and consequently the retainer 100 between a radiallylatched position and a radially unlatched position.

The verifier 200 includes a connecting member 202 with a radially inwardfacing surface 204 from which extend a retainer beam 206 and a pair oflaterally spaced curved generally resilient fingers 208 extendingdownward from the connecting member 202 and in the same direction as theretainer beam 206. When assembled to the connector body 12, inwardlyfacing surface 204 generally overlies the top slot 78 of the connectorbody 12 with the retainer beam 206 slidably disposed in the top slot 78.Each finger 208 resides in one of the side slots 80.

Each finger 208 includes a knuckle 210 having a laterally inwarddirected hook 212. The hooks 212 of the finger 208 engage locking ridges82 defined by the top support members 52 to releasably secure theverifier 200 to the connector body 12 when the verifier 200 is in itsunlatched position. The retainer beam 206 of the verifier 200 includes alaterally enlarged portion 214 and a narrowed portion 216. The lateralwidth of the enlarged portion 214 is slightly less than the lateralwidth of the enlarged portion of the top slot 78 formed on the topsupport member 52, and the lateral width of the narrowed portion 216 isslightly less than the lateral width of the narrowed portion of the topslot 78 so that the verifier 200 moves between the latched position andthe unlatched position.

As shown in FIG. 8 , each finger 208 of the verifier 200 furtherincludes an extension beam 218 extending from the end of the knuckle 210and terminating at a verifying tab 220 formed at its free or distal end.The rearward faces 222 of the extension beams 218 and the verifying tabs220 are planar with the rear surfaces of the knuckles 210. However, theforward faces 224 of the extension beams 218 and the verifying tabs 220are spaced axially rearward from the forward face of the knuckles 210such that the axial thickness of the extension beam 218 and theverifying tab 220 is less than the axial thickness of the knuckle 210.The difference between the thickness of the extension beams 218 and theverifying tabs 220 and the thickness of the knuckle 210 is such that itis at least as large as the thickness or axial length of the upset 16 ofthe male member 14.

Each verifying tab 220 includes a lead-in ramp surface 226 formed intothe forward face 224 of the verifying tab 220. The lead-in ramp surface226 slopes radially inward and axially rearward from the forward face224 of each verifying tab 220. The shape and the spacing of the lead-inramp surfaces 226 match the annular profile of the upset 16 of the malemember 14 allowing the upset 16 to contact the lead-in ramp surface 226upon insertion of the male member 14 into the connector body 12 when theverifier 200 is in its unlatched position. Accordingly, the spacingbetween opposing verifying tabs 220 is greater than spacing necessaryfor the cylindrical sealing surface 20 to be inserted into the connectorbody 12 without contacting the verifying tab 220 when the verifier 200is in the unlatched position. In the assembled configuration, theverifying tab 220 is shaped and sized to engage the center body posts 54of the connector body 12 such that the verifier 200 is moved in thelatched position from the unlatched position.

The verifier 200 further includes at least one arm 228 extending outsidethe connector body 12. In an exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9 , theverifier 200 includes a pair of arms 228 additionally extending downwardfrom the connecting member 202, which is the same direction as the pairof fingers 208. The pair of arms 228 and the pair of fingers 208 arespaced apart from each other in the longitudinal axis X of the connectorbody 12 such that a space 234 between the pair of fingers 208 and thepair of arms 228 is formed to receive the rearward rim 48 of theconnector body 12 when the verifier 200 is initially assembled to theconnector body 12 (see FIGS. 1 and 1A). As shown in FIG. 9 , the pair ofarms 228 include a combined upper end 230 which extends rearwardly fromthe connecting member 202 of the verifier 200 such that the pair offingers 208 of the verifier 200 are coupled inside the connector body 12and the pair of arms 228 of the verifier 200 are arranged outside theconnector body 12. In particular, the pair of arms 228 are radially (orcircumferentially) arranged outside the circular seal chamber 38 of theconnector body 12 when the verifier 200 is assembled to the connectorbody 12.

Further, in FIGS. 1 and 1A, each of the arms 228 includes an extensionend 232, which extends rearwardly along the longitudinal axis X of theconnector body 12 such that the extension end 232 is arranged betweenthe rearward rim 48 and the rearmost rim 84 of the connector body 12.The extension ends 232 are radially positioned within the confines ofthe rims 48 and 84 such that the rims help guide movement of the arms228, although the arms 228 and the extension ends 232 can also haveportions extending radially beyond the rims 48 and 84. The size of theextension end 232 is enough to cover the verification element 90attached to the connector body 12 in the unlatched position of theverifier 200. Accordingly, the extension end 232 of the verifier 200covers the verification element 90 attached to the outer surface 88 ofthe connector body 12 when the verifier 200 is in the unlatched positionsuch that the verification element 90 is not readable or detectable, andwhen the verifier 200 is moved to the latched position from theunlatched position, the extension end 232 of the verifier 200 istransversely (or along the outer surface of the connector body) moveddown to uncover the verification element 90 such that the verificationelement 90 is read out by the scanner or mobile device (not shown).Further, when the verifier 200 is transversely moved back to theunlatched position from the latched position, the verification element90 is re-covered and is rendered unreadable again.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 illustrate the connector body 12 with the installedthe retainer 100 and the verifier 200 in the unlatched position of theverifier 200. The legs 102 of the retainer 100 is inserted into thebottom slots 74 in the housing section 36, and the cross member 104 isplaced in the pocket 58 of the housing section 36. When the legs 102 areinserted into the housing section 36, the legs 102 spring inward withthe latches 108 engaged with the locking shoulders 76 of the top supportmember 52 to secure the retainer 100 to the connector body 12. When theretainer 100 is secured in the connector body 12, furthermore, the leadareas 112 of the legs 102 face to the male member reception end 32.

The coupling is completed by positioning the verifier 200 into thelatched position from the unlatched position. In the unlatched position,the verifier 200 is restrained from axially and radially moving relativeto the connector body 12. The abutting relationships of the forward andrearward faces of the knuckles 210 with both forward and rearward rims42 and 48 restrain the verifier 200 from the axial movement inside thehousing section 36. The engagements of the hooks 212 of the fingers 208with the locking ridges 82 of the top support member 52 restrain theverifier 200 from radially inward or transversely upward movement. Inaddition, the abutting relationships of the verifying tabs 220 with thecenter body posts 54 restrain the verifier 200 from radially outward ortransversely downward movement. Accordingly, in this condition, theverifier 200 cannot be moved from the unlatched position and theverification element 90 of the connector body 12 is covered by theextension end 232 of the verifier 200 such that the verification element90 is not readable or detectable.

With the retainer 100 and the verifier 200 properly attached to theconnector body 12 in the unlatched position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 1A,and 2 , the male member 14 is then inserted into the connector body 12.The cylindrical sealing surface 20 of the male member 14 passes betweenthe legs 102 and into the seal chamber 38. When the upset 16 of the malemember 14 contacts the legs 102, the lead areas 112 of the legs 102permit passage of the upset 16 between the legs 102 upon applyingsufficient axial inward force. As the upset 16 passes between the legs102, it rides along the lead areas 112 and flexes the legs 102 radiallyoutward. Once the upset 16 has passed the legs 102, the legs 102 springsback into place behind the upset 16 to a locked position. The rearwardface 116 of the legs 102 abut the upset 16 to prevent subsequentinadvertent withdrawal of the male member from the connector body 12. Inaddition, the male member 14 is withdrawn from the connector body 12 byinwardly pushing on the cross member 104 of the installed retainer 100.

With the legs 102 of the retainer 100 in the locked position, the upset16 flexes the fingers 208 of the verifier 200 laterally outward in sideslots 80. Since the verifying tabs 220 are located transversely abovethe axis X of the through bore 30, and likewise above the axis X of themale member 14, the upper hemisphere of the upset 16 contacts thelead-in ramp surfaces 226 of the fingers 208 when the male member 14 isinserted rearward into the connector body 12. Contacting the upperhemisphere of the upset 16 with the fingers 208 not only applies arearward directed force on the fingers 208, but it also applies anupwardly directed force on the fingers 208 pushing the verifier 200transversely upward, or radially outward away from the axis X of themale member 14, allowing the verifying tabs 220 to clear the center bodypost 54 so that the fingers 208 are able to spread radially or laterallyoutward, without interference.

As described above, the fingers 208 of the verifier 200 are able tospread laterally outward only after the upset 16 of the male member 14has completely passed the legs 102 of the retainer 100 (that is, themale member 14 is fully inserted into the connector body 12 and the legs102 of the retainer 100 is in the locked position). The quick connectorcoupling 10 is completed by positioning the verifier 200 to the latchedposition with a transversely downward or radially inward force on theconnecting member 202 (toward the connector body 12) when the malemember 14 is fully inserted into the connector body 12. In the latchedposition, the rear surface of the retainer beam 206 is in axial abuttingrelationship with the upset 16 of the male member 14. This axialabutting relationship between the retainer beam 206 and the upset 16provides the verifier 200 with the verifier feature to retain the malemember 14 in the connector body 12 when the retainer 100 is failed tolock the male member 14. Also, the radially inner surface of theretainer beam 206 abuts the outer surface of the male member 14. Thisability of the verifier 200 to move radially inward to the latchedposition provides visual verification to the user that the male member14 has been properly inserted into the connector body 12.

In addition to providing the visual verification as described above, theverifier 200 of the present disclosure is also able to allow a readablemachine such as a scanner or a mobile device to read or detect theconnector coupling status that the male member 14 has been correctlyinserted into and properly connected to the connector body 12. As shownin FIGS. 1 and 1A, the quick connector coupling 10 of the presentdisclosure includes the verification element 90 such as a QR code or abarcode, which is readable and/or detectable when the verifier 200 is inthe latched position, while the verification element 90 is not readableand/or detectable when the verifier 200 is in the unlatched position. Inthe unlatched position of the verifier 200 (see FIG. 1A), theverification element 90 attached onto the outer surface 88 of theconnector body 12 is partially or fully covered by the extension end 232of the verifier 200 such that the verification element 90 is blocked bythe extension end 232, which is not readable or detectable and cannot beread out by the readable machine. When the male member 14 is insertedinto the connector body 12 and the verifier 200 is moved down to thelatched position (see FIG. 1 ) from the unlatched position, theextension end 232 is downwardly moved along the outer surface of theconnector body, which is in a transverse direction relative to thelongitudinal axis X of the connector body 12 such that the verificationelement 90 is no longer covered by the extension end 232, which isreadable or detectable and can be read out by the readable machine.Accordingly, the verification element 90 which is readable or detectablein the present disclosure is a clear indication that the male member 14is properly inserted into the connector body 12.

In accordance with another exemplary form of the present disclosure,FIGS. 13 and 13A show a verifier 300 formed with a retainer 302. In FIG.13 , the retainer 302 and the verifier 300 are integrally formed as aone-piece part (i.e., a single unit), and in FIG. 13A, the retainer 302and the verifier 300 are formed as separate parts and connected inforce-fitting or form-fitting manner. As shown in FIG. 13A, the retainer302 is fastened to the verifier 300 in that the retainer 302 is clampedto the verifier 300. The verifier 300 has a projection 315 whichprojects radially inward. In a similar manner, the retainer 302 includesa lug 316 which is directed radially outward and which engages with theprojections 315 of the verifier 300. As a result, the retainer 302 ofthis embodiment can no longer be released from the verifier 300 in anyradial direction. Detaching and reattaching the retainer 302 to theverifier 300 is only possible by moving the retainer 302 in thelongitudinal direction X. The projection 315 of the verifier 300 and thelug 316 of the retainer 302 are formed in such way that when insertingthe retainer 302 onto the verifier 300, there is also a force fit,whereby the retainer 302 is permanently and securely fastened to theverifier 300.

The connector body 312 includes at least one verification element 90arranged in an outer surface of the connector body 312. As shown in FIG.13 , the connector body 312 is generally same feature as the connectorbody 12 of FIGS. 1 and 1A with an exception of the housing section 336receiving the verifier 300 combined with the retainer 302. As shown inFIGS. 13 and 13A, two retainer legs 301 and the pair of locking fingers303 are attached to a crossbar 306 formed in the verifier 300. Further,the verifier 300 includes at least one arm 328 extending outside theconnector body 312 and having an extension end 332 to cover theverification element 90 when the verifier 300 is in an unlatchedposition (see FIG. 14A), When the verifier 300 is moved to a latchedposition from the unlatched position as shown in FIG. 14B, theverification element 90 is uncovered and read out as described above inthe embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 1A.

As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the housing section 336 of the connectorbody 312 is formed to receive the verifier 300 and also secure theconnection of the male member 14, which is inserted into the connectorbody 312. The connector body 312 having the verifier 300 combined withthe retainer 302 is used in a TI Easy Loc connector, which is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 9,677,699 B2, filed on Oct. 23, 2014, entitled“Coupling”, incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with another exemplary form of the present disclosure,FIGS. 15A and 15B show a coupling connector 400 having a connector body412 and a male member 14 with a plug lock 402. The connector body 412includes a verification element 90 arranged in an outer surface of theconnector body 412. In FIG. 15A, the plug lock 402 is in a latchedposition such that the verification element 90 is uncovered and read outas described above in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 1A. In FIG. 15B, theplug lock 402 is in an unlatched position such that the verificationelement 90 is covered and is not read out. As shown in FIGS. 15A and15B, the connector body 412 is generally same feature as the connectorbody 12 of FIGS. 1 and 1A with an exception of a housing section 436receiving the plug lock 402.

FIG. 16 shows the plug lock 402 inserted from above, and hence in aradial direction or insertion direction, into the housing section 436 ofthe connector body 412 such that the plug lock 402 can be moved in theconnector body 412 between the latched position and the unlatchedposition. According to the present disclosure, when the male member 14is completely inserted into the connector body 412, the plug lock 402 isautomatically moved to the latched position (see FIG. 15A) from theunlatched position (see FIG. 15B). Further, the plug lock 402 is movedto the unlatched position from the latched position by a manualpressure. As shown in FIG. 16 , the plug lock 402 has a retainer 403 anda verifier 404, which are integrally formed as a single unit.

In FIG. 16 , the retainer 403 has a pair of legs 405 a and 405 b tosecure the plug lock 402 inside the housing section 436 of the connectorbody 412. The verifier 404 has a pair of fingers 406 a and 406 bextending from a cross bar 440 downwardly (i.e., in a radial directionor in an insertion direction). Further, the fingers 406 a and 406 b areaxially spaced apart from the legs 405 a and 405 b rearwardly along thelongitudinal axis to form a gap receiving the radial upset 16 of themale member 14 when the male member 14 is completely inserted into theconnector body 412 (see FIG. 17A). The ends of the fingers 406 a and 406b are bended toward the legs 405 a and 405 b of the retainer 403 alongthe longitudinal direction, and arranged on a bottom of the housingsection 436 of the connector body 412. In addition, the bottom-side endsof the fingers 406 a and 406 b have impact surfaces 407 a and 407 b andalso contact ramps 408 a and 408 b for contacting the upset 16 of themale member 14. Further, the fingers 406 a and 406 b are connected witheach other via a connecting web 409, which is arranged between the twocontact ramps 408 a and 408 b.

As shown in FIG. 16 , each of the fingers 406 a and 406 b includes aterminal element 410 a and 410 b at the bottom-side end, and each of theterminal elements 410 a and 410 b has an actuating elements 411 a and411 b formed with a rough or fluted structure for the manual operation.Further, the verifier 404 includes at least one arm 428 extendingtransversely (i.e., downwardly or in a radial direction) from a combinedend 430 outside the connector body 412 and having an extension end 432extending along the longitudinal axis. The extension end 432 of theverifier 404 covers the verification element 90 when the plug lock 402is in the unlatched position (see FIG. 15B), and uncovers theverification element 90 when the plug lock 402 is automatically moved tothe latched position from the unlatched position (see FIG. 15A).

FIGS. 17A and 17B show cross-sectional views of FIGS. 15A and 15B alongthe longitudinal direction. In FIG. 17B, the plug lock 402 is in theunlatched position, while the male member 14 has been partially insertedinto the connector body 412 such that one of the impact surfaces 407 aand 407 b of the plug lock 402 abuts or strikes against the projection413 (only a half of the projection shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B)) formedin the connector body 412. In FIG. 17A, when the male member 14 iscompletely inserted into the connector body 412, the upset 16 of themale member 14 touches one of the contact ramps 408 a and 408 b, as aresult of which the fingers 406 a and 406 b of the verifier 404 areelastically deflected axially rearward. This deflection builds up anelastic, mechanical stress in the plug lock 402 or in the verifier 404,until the terminal elements 410 a and 410 b reach the bottom opening 414(only a half of the opening shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B) of the connectorbody 412. As soon as a sufficient axial deflection of the fingers 406 aand 406 b has been reached, an axially forward tip of the terminalelements 410 a and 410 b and an axial rearward tip of the projection 413no longer touch each other. In this transition moment, thespring-elastic energy stored in the verifier 404 or in the fingers 406 aand 406 b is released, so that the plug lock 402 is automatically andabruptly pulled from the unlatched position into the latched position,and as shown in FIG. 17A, the coupling connector 400 is securelyconnected. Further, the plug lock 402 can be moved into the unlatchedposition through manual operation. Accordingly, when the male member 14is completely inserted into the connector body 412, the plug lock 402 isautomatically moved to the latched position such that the verificationelement 90 of the connector body 412 is no longer covered by theextension end 432, which can be readable or detectable, and read out bythe readable machine.

In the present disclosure, the term “readable” or “detectable” means inparticular that the code can be read out completely and correctly by thereadable machine. In the unlatched position of the verifier 200 (FIG.1A), for example, the code (the verification element 90) cannot be readout completely because the code is fully or partially covered by theextension end 232 of the verifier 200. Accordingly, the verificationelement 90 of the connector body 12 is not readable or detectable. Whenthe male member 14 properly inserted into the connector body 12, theverifier 200 can be moved down into the latched position and the code isfully uncovered such that the code is readable and can be read outcompletely by the readable machine as shown in the example of FIG. 1 .

According to the present disclosure, the verification element 90 isattached to the connector body 12 by at least one of the methods such asa printing, a laser marking, a labeling, an engraving, etc. Further, theverification element 90 can contain readable information relating to thequick connector, in particular relating to the manufacturer, the articlenumber, the type and material, the date of manufacture, and the batchnumber of the connector. Such information is advantageous in the courseof assembly and maintenance of the connector so that the verificationelement 90 of the present disclosure combines the verification of thecorrect connection and also the connector-specific information of thequick connector.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the clear indication of the correctconnection of the quick connector coupling 10 or the verification of thecorrect connection of the quick connector coupling 10 is achieved bysimple measures which are described above. Accordingly, the quickconnector coupling 10 with the verification element 90 of the presentdisclosure can be accomplished by low manufacturing costs. In addition,through the simple and yet very functionally reliable process of averification or a display of the correct connection of the quickconnector coupling 10, the susceptibility to errors in the connection ofthe quick connector is reduced so that the connection errors can largelybe excluded.

The foregoing description of various forms of the invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed. Numerous modifications or variations are possible in light ofthe above teachings. The forms discussed were chosen and described toprovide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and itspractical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the artto utilize the invention in various forms and with various modificationsas are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modificationsand variations are within the scope of the invention as determined bythe appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth towhich they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A quick connector coupling for making a severableconnection with a male member in a fluid line, the quick connectorcoupling comprising: a connector body having a through bore forreceiving the male member, the male member having a tubular shape sizedto extend into the through bore of the connector body; at least oneverification element formed on the connector body; and a verifierincluding a connecting member and a pair of fingers extending from theconnecting member, the verifier further including a combined upper endextending rearwardly from the connecting member of the verifier and atleast one arm extending from the combined upper end, wherein theverifier is coupled to the connector body and moved to a latchedposition from an unlatched position when the male member is inserted andsecurely connected with the connector body, and wherein the at least oneverification element of the connector body is at least partially coveredby the at least one arm extending from the verifier in the unlatchedposition, and wherein the verification element of the connector body isuncovered and readable when the at least one arm of the verifier ismoved to the latched position in a transverse direction relative to aninsertion direction of the male member.
 2. The quick connector couplingof claim 1, further comprising a retainer releasably securing the malemember within the connector body.
 3. The quick connector coupling ofclaim 1, wherein the through bore of the connector body defines alongitudinal axis, and wherein the at least one arm is axially spacedapart from the pair of fingers.
 4. The quick connector coupling of claim3, wherein the connector body includes a radial rim extending throughthe axial space between the at least one arm and pair of fingers.
 5. Thequick connector coupling of claim 2, wherein the retainer is positionedon an opposite side of the connector body from where the verifier ispositioned such that the retainer is inserted in an opposite directionfrom a direction in which the verifier is moved to the latched position.6. The quick connector coupling of claim 1, wherein the at least oneverification element is positioned on an outer surface of the connectorbody.
 7. The quick connector coupling of claim 6, wherein the at leastone verification element is arranged between a rearward rim and arearmost rim of the connector body.
 8. The quick connector coupling ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one verification element is a readablecode formed as a QR code, a barcode, a data matrix code, or a coloredcode.
 9. The quick connector coupling of claim 1, wherein the at leastone arm of the verifier is formed with an extension end transverselyextending from the at least one arm along a longitudinal axis of theconnector body.
 10. The quick connector coupling of claim 9, wherein theextension end of the verifier is arranged between a rearward rim and arearmost rim of the connector body and moved along an outer surface ofthe connector body.
 11. The quick connector coupling of claim 9, whereinin the unlatched position of the verifier, the verification element isat least partially covered by the extension end of the verifier, and theverification element is fully uncovered by the movement of the extensionend when the verifier is moved to the latched position from theunlatched position.
 12. The quick connector coupling of claim 1, whereinthe at least one verification element produces information about thequick connector coupling when the verification element is read out. 13.The quick connector coupling of claim 1, wherein the at least oneverification element is attached onto an outer surface of the connectorbody by a printing, a laser marking, a labeling, or an engraving.
 14. Aquick connector coupling for making a severable connection with a malemember in a fluid line, the quick connector coupling comprising: aconnector body having a through bore for receiving the male member, themale member having a tubular shape sized to extend into the through boreof the connector body; at least one verification element formed on theconnector body; a verifier including a crossbar and a pair of fingersextending from the crossbar, the verifier further including at least onearm extending outside the connector body; and a retainer securing themale member within the connector body, wherein the verifier is formedwith the retainer, the retainer including a pair of legs extending fromthe crossbar, wherein the verifier and retainer are coupled to theconnector body and moved to a latched position from an unlatchedposition when the male member is inserted and securely connected withthe connector body, and wherein the at least one verification element ofthe connector body is at least partially covered by the at least one armextending from the verifier in the unlatched position, and wherein theverification element of the connector body is uncovered and readablewhen the at least one arm of the verifier is moved to the latchedposition in a transverse direction relative to an insertion direction ofthe male member.
 15. The quick connector coupling of claim 14, whereinthe combined retainer and verifier is automatically moved to the latchedposition from the unlatched position when the male member is completelyinserted into the connector body.
 16. The quick connector coupling ofclaim 14, wherein the pair of fingers are longitudinally aligned withthe pair of legs.
 17. The quick connector coupling of claim 14, whereinthe at least one arm of the verifier is longitudinally spaced apart fromthe pair of fingers of the verifier.
 18. A quick connector coupling formaking a severable connection with a male member in a fluid line, thequick connector coupling comprising: a connector body having a throughbore for receiving the male member having a tubular shape sized toextend into the through bore of the connector body, the connector bodyincluding at least one verification element; a retainer securing themale member within the connector body; and a verifier including at leastone arm extending outside the connector body, the verifier coupled tothe connector body and moved to a latched position from an unlatchedposition when the male member is securely connected with the connectorbody, the at least one arm including an extension end transverselyextending from the at least one arm along a longitudinal axis of theconnector body, the extension end sized and positioned to cover the atleast one verification element in the unlatched position, wherein the atleast one verification element of the connector body is readable whenthe verifier is moved to the latched position from the unlatchedposition, and wherein the retainer is positioned on an opposite side ofthe connector body from where the verifier is positioned such that theretainer is inserted in an opposite direction from a direction in whichthe verifier is moved to the latched position.
 19. The quick connectorcoupling of claim 18, wherein the at least one verification element islocated on an outer surface of the connector body is at least partiallycovered by the arm of the verifier and is not readable when the verifieris in the unlatched position and wherein the at least one verificationelement is fully uncovered and readable by the movement of the arm whenthe verifier is moved to the latched position.
 20. The quick connectorcoupling of claim 18, wherein the verifier is formed with a pair of armsincluding a combined upper end extending rearwardly from a connectingmember of the verifier.